February 19, 2026 - Reparata and the Delrons - Take A Look Around You (1965)

The first time I heard this song, I didn't listen to the lyrics. I was distracted by the elementary school musical piano and fuzz guitar riff at 0:11. I thought it might have an optimistic message, you know, like an enjoy life or smell the roses attitude. Actually, it's a "guys are jerks, and girl, you need to save yourself" cautionary tale like so many mid-60s girl group songs. I transcribed the lyrics:

Take a look around you
you’ll find the scene is grim
and take a look around you
you’ll see you just can’t win

When day is gone
it all went wrong
you’ll pray there’ll be
a different dawn

Please here what I say

Try to change it for the rest of your life
it ain’t no use
you’ll be staring at the end of a knife
taking abuse

So take a look around you
and see what you can do
Their lying and cheating found you
you’ll do as others do

The grapes of wrath
the aftermath
the two-faced crowd
they’re screaming loud

Please take heed of me

The grapes of wrath
the aftermath
the two-faced crowd
they’re screaming loud

So take a look around you
and see what you can do.

Love that "grapes of wrath/aftermath" rhyme, don't you? And "you'll be staring at the end of a knife"? Ouch! The song was co-written by Bill Jerome (record producer) and Mary Aiese, aka lead singer Reparata. She and group member Nanette Licari attended Catholic school (of course) in New York City (ditto). Reparata was Mary's confirmation name. 

The story of Reparata and the Delrons lasted about 40 years, with various twists and turns. Mary kept the group going, but stopped singing live to concentrate on her family and career as a teacher. Another member of the group, Lorraine Mazzola, took over as lead singer during live shows and began to introduce herself as Reparata. The live shows stopped in 1973 when Mazzola joined Barry Manilow's back-up singers Lady Flash. In Lady Flash, Mazzola began to use the stage name "Reparata Mazzola", and has done so ever since. Exqueeze me? This led to many issues as to who controlled the Reparata "brand" if you will. 

Things got sorted out at some point, and Mary kept the group and her own career going until 2000, when she disbanded the group for good.

Don't do it, Mary slash Reparata! And who's that slimy clod with his hand on your neck? You need to open up a can of whoop-ass, like you're in a girl gang Roger Corman movie. Maybe there's an opening for you in the Lizzies.